The Madrid Codex is one of the most important pre-Columbian manuscripts that has survived to this day. It is a fascinating artifact that provides us with a glimpse into the world of the ancient Maya civilization.
But who found this precious document, and how did it come to be in the hands of scholars? Let’s explore the history behind its discovery.
The Discovery
The Madrid Codex was discovered in Spain in the mid-19th century by a Spanish bibliophile named Juan de Palacios. Palacios was an avid collector of rare books and manuscripts, and he acquired the codex from an unknown source. At the time, he did not realize the significance of his find, and it remained in his private collection for many years.
It wasn’t until 1867 that interest in the codex was renewed when a German scholar named Ernst Förstemann saw it while visiting Palacios’ library. Förstemann recognized its importance as a pre-Columbian artifact and urged Palacios to make it available for study.
From Spain to Germany
In 1878, Palacios sold the Madrid Codex to the Royal Library in Berlin, Germany. The codex became part of a larger collection of pre-Columbian artifacts that were being studied by scholars at the time. The Berlin collection became one of the most important sources of information about ancient Mesoamerican cultures.
World War II
During World War II, many valuable artifacts were moved from Berlin to safer locations to protect them from bombing raids. The Madrid Codex was taken to a castle in Saxony for safekeeping but was later discovered by Soviet troops at the end of the war.
After being returned to East Germany, it was eventually restored and kept at a museum in Dresden until German reunification in 1990. It now resides at the National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid, Spain, where it was first discovered over a century ago.
The Importance of the Madrid Codex
The Madrid Codex is a significant source of information about Maya culture and society. It contains detailed information about astronomy, religion, rituals, and ceremonies. It also provides insight into the daily lives of the ancient Maya people.
Today, the codex is considered a valuable historical artifact and an important part of our cultural heritage. Its discovery by Juan de Palacios in Spain in the mid-19th century has allowed us to learn more about one of the most fascinating civilizations that ever existed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Madrid Codex was discovered by a Spanish bibliophile named Juan de Palacios in the mid-19th century. Although he did not initially recognize its significance, it eventually became part of a larger collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in Berlin, Germany.
The codex survived World War II and is now housed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid. Its importance as a source of information about Maya culture cannot be overstated and we owe its discovery to Palacios’ passion for collecting rare books and manuscripts.